Sen. Jim Beach

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a pilot program in New Jersey that allows some municipalities to let voters cast their ballots electronically during local elections. To participate, voters would use a secure system that lets them receive, mark, and return ballots online while maintaining strict data protection measures like encryption and identity verification. The state will hire a vendor to build this system, and local election officials will ensure there are backup plans in case the technology fails. The program is designed to run for eight years, with officials required to submit detailed reports on how well it works after each election.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new housing assistance program called "Veterans Helping Veterans" within the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs to help homeless veterans find shelter. The program would connect homeless veterans with other veterans who volunteer to provide housing, using a vetting and incentive system similar to the state's foster care program. Key provisions include establishing specific eligibility rules for both those seeking and providing housing, setting up an application process, and allowing the department to accept federal or private grants to fund the initiative. The Department of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, must develop detailed guidelines and regulations to manage the program within 90 days of the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryS 569 establishes a three-year County-Based School Security Pilot Program in Essex, Mercer, and Camden counties, directly affecting public school students and districts in those areas. The bill provides $15 million from the General Fund to fund two key components: county-based mental health services (including screenings, counseling, and crisis intervention) and enhanced school security infrastructure (such as active shooter training and bullet-resistant shields). The program requires collaboration between the Education Department and other state agencies, with annual reports to the Governor and Legislature evaluating the pilot's effectiveness. This initiative aims to address student mental health needs and physical security in participating school districts through concrete, funded provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the use of census data in calculating state funding for special education aid to New Jersey school districts. It amends existing school finance laws (P.L.1996, c.138 and P.L.2007, c.260) by removing references to census-based calculations and "State average classification rate" from the special education funding formulas. School districts receiving special education aid will no longer have their funding amounts determined using census data, shifting the calculation method to other established formulas. The change directly affects all New Jersey public school districts that receive state special education funding under current law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires app-based ride services (like Uber or Lyft) to share information about sexual misconduct investigations involving their drivers with other companies during background checks. It directly affects drivers who face such investigations and riders who use these services. Key provisions mandate that companies review a driver's history of sexual misconduct allegations across multiple platforms and allow companies to temporarily ban drivers from their digital networks during and after an investigation. The bill also defines "sexual misconduct" broadly to include unwanted sexual communications or advances toward riders. The bill was introduced in the New Jersey Senate in January 2026 and referred to the Transportation Committee for further review.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the eggplant as the official State Crop of New Jersey to recognize the vegetable's agricultural and cultural significance within the state. The legislation relies on findings that New Jersey is a top national producer of eggplants, with thousands of farms growing the crop annually for both local markets and international export. By formally naming the eggplant as the state crop, the act highlights the vegetable's economic contribution to the farming industry and its role in the diverse culinary traditions of New Jersey. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, serving as a symbolic acknowledgment of the crop's importance rather than imposing new regulations or taxes.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires cable television companies to create a toll-free phone line for customers to report service outages and receive status updates. The law mandates that providers include this number on customer bills and display it prominently on their websites, ensuring access to information about estimated repair times. This measure directly affects cable subscribers by establishing a standardized way to communicate with their service providers during interruptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 2996, eliminates physician collaboration requirements for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in New Jersey, allowing them to practice independently without supervision or joint protocols. It directly affects APNs - registered nurses with specialized training in primary and specialty care - and aims to improve healthcare access, particularly in underserved communities and for populations facing barriers like low income or transportation challenges. The key provision removes statutory restrictions that previously limited APNs' scope of practice, aligning New Jersey with 24 states that grant full practice authority. The bill cites pandemic-era waivers (Executive Order No. 112) that allowed similar independent practice without adverse incidents, and notes APNs could reduce healthcare access disparities by over 38% if restrictions are lifted.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows high school students in grades 11-12 at New Jersey public schools to miss up to three days per school year for college visits, visits to technical institutions, or military recruitment activities without penalty. Students must provide documentation to their school, and these absences will not appear on transcripts, job applications, or affect perfect attendance records. Military recruitment-related activities include required testing, medical evaluations, interviews, and fingerprinting for enlistment. The law aims to support students exploring college or military career paths while maintaining attendance accountability.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "Anthony Maruca’s Law," requires New Jersey law enforcement officers who have access to epinephrine auto-injectors to complete approved training on emergency administration. It allows police departments to provide these devices to officers for use during official duties, storing them in vehicles or medical kits per health department guidelines. The law directly affects officers employed by police departments and mandates certification of training completion for those using the devices. Key provisions include the training requirement and authorization for departments to maintain the injectors, with no new funding or cost mandates specified.